Chapter 20: The Note

Xu Muyan breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Chu Bai leave.

A small smile appeared on her face as she looked at Wang Haoran. "So, what problem did you want to discuss?"

Xu Muyan had a favorable impression of Wang Haoran, with a goodwill rating of 20. She found him very friendly, so she didn't mind him asking about study questions.

"Actually, I don't have any questions to ask you," Wang Haoran said with a smile.

"Huh..." Xu Muyan was momentarily taken aback.

"There are plenty of smart people in this class. Why do you think Chu Bai always comes to you specifically?" Wang Haoran asked.

"This... how would I know?" Xu Muyan shook her head, though she had a guess in her mind. She was just too shy to say it.

Wang Haoran, however, directly pointed it out. "Chu Bai isn't genuinely seeking help with his studies. He's just trying to get closer to you."

"You're too kind. You need to learn to say no. Don't waste your precious study time helping others. You don't owe anyone anything."

Xu Muyan nodded in agreement, recognizing the truth in Wang Haoran's words. She made up her mind that if Chu Bai asked her for help again, she would refuse unless she had spare time.

"Did you come here just to tell me this?" Xu Muyan looked into Wang Haoran's eyes, trying to discern his intentions. Was he concerned about her?

"What kind of look is that? I often come to discuss studies with you, but you don't seriously think I have feelings for you, do you? I'm the school heartthrob, you know? Do you have any idea how many girls have written me love letters? Just because you're pretty, you think I like you?"

"I've already told you before, I don't date girls from my own class. Do I need to repeat that?"

Though Wang Haoran actually did have feelings for Xu Muyan, he couldn't let her see through him. Otherwise, she might distance herself, and that would complicate his plans. In simple terms, he could flirt with her, but she couldn't know that he was flirting.

"You're so mean... Forget it, I'm going to do my homework and ignore you!" Xu Muyan blushed with embarrassment and turned her head away, refusing to look at Wang Haoran.

**Ding! Xu Muyan's goodwill towards you has increased by 10. Current goodwill: 30 (Very Friendly).**

**Ding! You've altered the original plot, earning 200 Villain Points.**

"What? That worked?" Wang Haoran was momentarily dumbfounded by the system notification.

What just happened? He hadn't flirted with her at all. In fact, he'd been outright mean. So how did her affection for him increase?

It seemed that the more disinterested he appeared, the more attracted Xu Muyan became. This girl must really fall for the "playing hard to get" approach, Wang Haoran realized. He felt like he'd found the key to winning her over.

Meanwhile, in another part of the classroom, Chu Bai kept a close watch on Wang Haoran and Xu Muyan.

Since there were many students studying in the classroom, Wang Haoran and Xu Muyan kept their voices low. Chu Bai couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could observe Xu Muyan's body language and expressions.

"Xu Muyan seems upset. What did that scumbag Wang say to her? Did he make an indecent comment?"

Chu Bai clenched his fists, itching to beat Wang Haoran up. For someone like him, that would be easy.

Wang Haoran might have a handsome face, but he was a spoiled rich kid, weak and powerless. He wouldn't stand a chance against Chu Bai.

But after thinking it over, Chu Bai restrained himself. Beating up Wang Haoran might be easy, but the consequences would be severe. After all, money is power.

"Once the college entrance exams are over, I'll have two or three months of vacation. I'll make a fortune playing stone gambling in another city then," Chu Bai secretly resolved.

Because of the incident during lunch, Chu Bai spent the entire afternoon in a foul mood. It wasn't until after dinner in the cafeteria that he began to feel better.

Back in the classroom, Chu Bai found a note in his desk.

"Chu Bai, I didn't mean to distance myself from you. I was forced to. It hurts me to see you so unhappy all afternoon.

I was planning to tell you this after the college entrance exams, but I can't bear to see you sad anymore.

Meet me in our class's girls' dormitory after the first evening self-study session. I have something important to tell you.

Remember, don't let Wang Haoran see you."

There was no signature on the note, but the handwriting was neat and delicate, clearly a girl's.

"It must be from Xu Muyan!" Chu Bai quickly concluded.

The handwriting was familiar, and the words on the note could only have come from Xu Muyan.

His heart leaped with joy as he began to imagine the possibilities.

What did Xu Muyan mean by this? She's asking me to meet her secretly, away from Wang Haoran's eyes. Could it be that she likes me?

Has she been pretending not to care about me and getting closer to Wang Haoran just to protect me from him?

Yes, that must be it!

Otherwise, why did Xu Muyan's attitude towards me change so suddenly after she learned about Fan Jian and his gang trying to ambush me after school?

Chu Bai was ecstatic but quickly calmed down, acting as if nothing had happened. He tore the note into pieces and ate them.

Maybe it was because Xu Muyan had written the note, but as Chu Bai chewed, he found it strangely delicious.

He hadn't forgotten Xu Muyan's warning—he couldn't let anyone know about this.

The note had to be destroyed.

After all, many students in this class were close to Wang Haoran. If any of them found out and reported to Wang Haoran, things could get messy.

Chu Bai spent a few moments excited, but then a sliver of doubt crept in. Xu Muyan was a day student, not a boarder. Why would she ask to meet in the girls' dormitory?

There were plenty of other places on campus where they could meet.

Chu Bai wanted to confirm with Xu Muyan whether she had written the note, but she didn't bring her phone to school, so texting was out of the question. And asking her directly wasn't a good idea either, given how many of Wang Haoran's allies were in their class.

During the evening self-study session, Chu Bai found it hard to concentrate. He kept glancing at his watch, counting down the seconds.

Meanwhile, someone else in the classroom was also paying close attention to the time.

As the first evening self-study session neared its end, in another part of the classroom:

"Ouch..." Wen Jing clutched her stomach, her face contorted in pain.

"Jingjing, are you okay? Do you feel sick?" Xu Muyan asked with concern.

"Yeah, it hurts a lot."

"Let me take you to the infirmary."

"It's just my period. I don't feel well, but it's nothing serious."

"Should I ask the teacher for permission to let you go home and have your family pick you up?"

"No, that's too embarrassing. I'll just go to the girls' dormitory and rest for a while. I should feel better after half an hour."

"I'll ask one of the boarders in our class for the dorm key."

"Ask Zhang Li. She's nice and easy to talk to. But keep it quiet, okay? I'd be mortified if people found out."

"Got it."

After whispering, Xu Muyan quietly left her seat and approached Zhang Li, a girl in their class.

Xu Muyan whispered a few words to Zhang Li, who then handed her a key.